The phone call or WhatsApp message from someone telling you that what you are doing is making a difference, that your performance levels have been impressive of late or an email saying you are being talked about by senior management.

Recognition. So easy to do, so simple.

And according to The Trust Index produced annually by Great Places to Work, recognition is most important when trying to build uplifting, engaging working cultures and environments.

The Index emphasises the need for people to feel valued through recognition, more so than the traditional ways many tend to think of showing appreciation – more than wanting a promotion, training, more money and greater autonomy.

And in a world where businesses are becoming increasingly creative in their approach to how they look after their people, we should not forget that maybe it is the smaller things that matter most. Not the crazy work perks we have all heard of, from free office beer taps to free Botox. Yes, free Botox...

Recognition is central to retention. What do people really want now? Flexibility (agility), trust, a good work-life balance and recognition.

Nevertheless, there is some fabulous creativity in how organisations show they care about their people. This includes providing support for all paths of parenthood including egg/sperm freezing, fertility, pregnancy, adoption and surrogacy. Online bank Monzo offers its people three months of unpaid leave a year and a learning budget of £1k a year for books or training courses. IT staffing firm Akraya pays for a professional cleaning service to tidy their employees’ homes every fortnight; the idea is that without needing to worry about tidying your house you can achieve a great balance between work and life.

The ultimate in trust given by your employer? Hootsuite has a nap room, and you are actively encouraged to close your eyes and nod off. The power of a power nap. I have often been intrigued by sleep pods; maybe I should order one (or two)…

There is some fabulous creativity in how organisations show they care about their people”

Technology gives us all the freedom to work from our kitchen or the local café. Who am I to disagree with Elon Musk, but why does it remain a taboo subject for many? Some of our top performers are based five days a week from home. It is easy to say ‘thank you’ for some exceptional contribution, benefitting from the trust they have been given.

Agile-first cultures: I love this phrase, and those that get it right will give their people a uniqueness – the freedom to perform.

So here is my concluding comment. Taken seriously and with creativity, the approaches taken towards recognition for modern, progressive organisations will go a significant way in creating and preserving company culture that influences and drives performance. A perfect combination.

Guy Hayward - redefining the modern workplace CEO, Goodman Masson